The John and Mary R. Markle Foundation
July 29, 1999 | Read Time: 1 minute
History: Established in 1927 in New York by John Markle,
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New Internet Focus Reaffirms Markle’s Commitment to Mass Communications
Grants Reflect Fund’s New Focus on Technology
the head of George B. Markle and Company, a coal-mining company, and his wife, Mary Robinson Markle.
Purpose and areas of support: The foundation has recently announced that it will make grants in four areas: communications and technology policy, the effects of interactive media on children, the use of technology in health care, and the use of interactive communications tools to increase citizen participation in elections and civic affairs. The foundation also operates an “opportunity fund,” a discretionary fund for projects that fall outside the four program areas, but it does not accept unsolicited proposals for that fund.
Assets: $187,648,000 as of June 30, 1999.
Grants and operating programs: The foundation distributed $2,547,154 from March 1998 to June 1999. Over the next three to five years, it plans to spend $100-million on grants, program-related investments, and its own charitable programs.
Key officials: Zoe Baird, president; Lewis W. Bernard, chairman of the board.
Application procedures: Applicants should send a two- to three-page inquiry stating the purpose of the project, an explanation of how the project meets the objectives of a specific foundation program, a project budget, and other details. The Markle Foundation staff reviews proposals throughout the year. The foundation’s board of directors meets at least three times a year to review proposals.
Address: 75 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1800, New York 10019-6908; (212) 489-6655
World-Wide Web site: http://www.markle.org
